Watchband

ABSTRACT

A watchband formed from a piece of material resembling a tail portion of a necktie. The watchband comprises a first end portion, a second end portion and a body portion. The first end portion has a blunt end. The second end portion has a substantially triangular-shaped end and is spatially opposed to the first end portion. The body portion extends between the first end portion and the second end portion. The body portion is sized for supporting a wristwatch. The watchband has a sufficient length to wrap substantially completely about a wrist of a wearer so that the watch band is secured about the wrist of the wearer in a stable position.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.60/558,228, filed Mar. 31, 2004, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a watchband, and more particularly butnot by way of limitation, to a watchband formed of a piece of materialresembling a tail portion of a necktie. In one aspect, the presentinvention relates to a watchband formed of a tail portion of a necktie.

2. Description of Related Art

Watchbands in the prior art generally have been provided with a widthsubstantially equal to the length of lateral retaining pins of the wristwatch to which the watchband is connected. In addition, the prior artwatchbands are provided with a length such that, upon positioning awatchband around the wrist of a person, the ends of the watchband areconnected via buckles, mating type fasteners, such as materialmerchandised under the trademark VELCRO®.

Watchbands have also been fabricated of a fabric wherein a wristwatch issupported on and secured to the fabric by watch mounting loops which areeither permanently or releasably connected to the watchband.

While many types of watchbands before have been proposed, new andimproved watchbands are constantly being sought which provide unique,aesthetic qualities and appearances to the watchbands, and which can beeasily changed to complement the attire of the person wearing thewatchband. It is to such watchbands that the present invention isdirected.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, a watchband is provided whichis fabricated of a piece of material resembling a tail portion of anecktie, or from a tail portion of a necktie. The watchband is providedwith a first end portion, a body portion, and an opposed second endportion. At least a portion of the body portion is desirably providedwith a width substantially corresponding to the length of lateralretaining pins of a wristwatch so that the watchband, upon positioningover the lateral retaining pins and under a case portion of thewristwatch, secures and supports the wristwatch in a stable position onthe body portion of the watchband.

The first end portion of the watchband has a substantially blunt end andthe second end portion of the watchband has a substantiallytriangular-shaped end. To further stabilize the watchband to the wristof a wearer, a fastener is supported on an upper surface of thewatchband near the blunt end thereof. A mating fastener is positioned ona lower surface of the watchband a predetermined distance from thewristwatch such that, upon wrapping the first end portion of thewatchband about the wrist of the wearer, the first end portion isconnectable to the body portion of the watchband via the fasteners.

Once the watchband has been secured about the wrist of the wearer, thesecond end portion of the watchband is wrapped around the wearer's wristin such a way as to not interfere with the face of the wristwatch, whileat the same time providing a decorative wrap around the wrist of thewearer. The substantially triangular-shaped end of the watchband can beconnected via a connector assembly to the body portion of the watchbandor tucked under portions of the watchband wrapped about the wearer'swrist.

In another embodiment, a tail portion of a tie is formed into awatchband. One end portion of the watchband is provided with a blunt endand a second portion is provided with a substantially triangular-shapedend. A connector assembly is disposed on the first and second endportions of the watchband such that upon positioning a wristwatchtherebetween, the watchband can be wrapped about a person's wrist andsecured thereon by the connector assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a wristwatch secured about aperson's wrist utilizing a watchband constructed in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the wristband of FIG. 1, the wristbandbeing shown in an extended position.

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the wristband of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of another embodiment of a watchbandconstructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the watchband of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of another embodiment of a watchbandconstructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the watchband of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of yet another embodiment of a watchbandconstructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of the watchband of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIG. 1, showntherein is a watchband 10 for securing wristwatch 12 on a wrist 14 of aperson. The watchband is fabricated of a tail portion 16 of a necktie 18(FIGS. 2 and 3) or from a piece of material resembling the tail portionof a necktie.

Referring more specifically to FIGS. 2 and 3, the watchband 10 is shownin an extended or unwrapped condition. The watchband 10 is characterizedas having a first end portion 20, a body portion 22 for supporting thewristwatch 12, a second end portion 24, a front side 26 (FIG. 2) and aback side 28 (FIG. 3). The first end portion 20 terminates with a bluntend 30; and the second end portion 24 terminates with a substantiallytriangular-shaped end 32.

At least a portion of the body portion 22 of the watchband 10 isdesirably provided with a width 34 substantially corresponding with thelength of lateral retaining pins 36 and 38 of the wristwatch 12 so thatthe watchband 10, upon positioning over the lateral retaining pins 36and 38 and under a case portion 40 of the wristwatch 12 (FIG. 3),secures and supports the wristwatch 12 in a stable position on the bodyportion 22 of the watchband 10.

A first connector assembly 42 includes a pair of hook and loop pressureattachable fabric components 44 and 46. The hook and loop pressureattachable fabric components 44 and 46 are stitched or secured to thebody portion 22 of the tail portion 16 such that the component 44 isdisposed on the front side 26 of the tail portion 16 near the blunt end30 of the first end portion 20 and the component 46 is disposed on thebackside 28 of the watchband 10 so as to be aligned with the firstcomponent and connectable thereto when the watchband 10 is wrapped aboutthe wrist 14 of an individual. The watchband 10 is further provided witha second connector assembly 48 which includes a male snap fastener 50and a plurality of female snap fasteners 52. The male snap fastener 50is disposed in the substantially triangular-shaped end 32 of the secondend portion 24 of the watchband 10 such that the male snap fastener 50extends outwardly from the back side 28 of the watchband 10; and theplurality of female snap fasteners 52 are aligned along the body portion22 of the watchband 10 such that the female snap fasteners 52 aredisposed on the front side 26 of the body portion 22 of the watchband 10substantially as shown. Thus, upon positioning the watchband 10 aboutthe wrist 14 of an individual, the components 44 and 46 of the firstconnector assembly 42 are matingly engaged. Thereafter, the second endportion 24 of the watchband 10 is wrapped about the individual's wrist(FIG. 1) until the male snap fastener 50 is aligned with one of thefemale snap fasteners 52 whereby the substantially triangular-shaped end32 of the second end portion 24 can be secured in a stable position uponmatingly engaging the male snap fastener 50 with one of the female snapfasteners 52.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, shown therein is another embodiment of awatchband 60 fabricated of a tail portion 62 of a tie 63. The watchband60 is provided with a first end portion 64, a body portion 66 forsupporting a wristwatch 68, a second end portion 70, a front side 72(FIG. 4) and a back side 74 (FIG. 5). The first end portion 64terminates with a blunt end 76; and the second end portion 70 terminateswith a triangular-shaped end 78. At least a portion of the body portion66 of the watchband 60 is desirably provided with a width 80substantially corresponding with the length of lateral retaining pins 82and 84 of the wristwatch 68 and a case portion 86 of the wristwatch 68(FIG. 5) so that the watchband 60, upon positioning over the lateralretaining pins 82 and 84 and under the case portion 86 of the wristwatch68, secures and supports the wristwatch 68 in a stable position on thebody portion 66 of the watchband 60.

The watchband 60 is further provided with a connector assembly 88 whichincludes a male snap fastener 90 and a plurality of spatially disposedfemale snap fasteners 92. The male snap fastener 90 is disposed in thesubstantially triangular-shaped end 78 of the second end portion 70 suchthat the male snap fastener 90 extends outwardly from the back side 74of the watchband 60; and the plurality of spatially disposed female snapfasteners 92 are aligned along the body portion of the watchband 68 suchthat the female snap fasteners are disposed on the front side 72 of thebody portion 66 of the watchband 60 substantially as shown. Thus, uponpositioning the watchband 60 about a wrist of an individual, the malesnap fastener 90 selectively engages one of the female snap fasteners 92so as to secure the watchband 60 in a secure position on the person'swrist.

Thereafter, the first end portion 64 of the watchband 60 is wrappedabout the individual's wrist and the portion of the first end portion 64of the watchband 60 adjacent the blunt end 76 is inserted underneath anoverlaying portion of the watchband 60 whereby the first end portion 64of the watchband 60 is secured in a stable position. It should beunderstood that by wrapping the first end portion 64 of the watchband 60about the person's wrist, the wrapping is accomplished in such a mannerthat the face portion of the wristwatch 68 remains uncovered. It shouldbe noted that additional connector assemblies can be incorporated intothe watchband 60, if desired.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, yet another embodiment of a watchband100 is shown constructed in accordance with the present invention. Thewatchband 100 which is fabricated of a tail portion 102 of a necktie104, or from a piece of material resembling the tail portion of anecktie, is characterized as having a first end portion 106, a bodyportion 108 for supporting a wristwatch 110, a second end portion 112, afront side 114 (FIG. 6) and a back side 116 (FIG. 7). The first endportion 106 terminates with a blunt end 124, and the second end portion118 terminates with a substantially triangular-shaped end 126.

At least a portion of the body portion 108 of the watchband 100 isdesirably provided with a width 128 substantially corresponding with thelength of lateral retaining pins 130 and 132 of the wristwatch 110 sothat the watchband 100, upon positioning over the lateral retaining pins130 and 132 and under the case portion 134 of the wristwatch 110 (FIG.7), secures and supports the wristwatch 110 in a stable position on thebody portion 108 of the watchband 100.

The watchband 100 is further provided with connector assembly 136 forconnecting the substantially triangular-shaped end 126 of the second endportion 118 to the first end portion 106 of the watchband 100. Theconnector assembly 136 included a male snap fastener 138 and a pluralityof female snap fasteners 140. The male snap fastener 138 is disposed inthe substantially triangular-shaped end 126 of the second end portion118 such that the male snap fastener 138 extends outwardly from the backside 116 of the watchband 100, and the plurality of female snapfasteners 140 are aligned along the first end portion 112 of thewatchband 100 such that the female snap fasteners 140 extend outwardlyfrom the front side 114 of the watchband 100 near the blunt end 144thereof. Thus, upon positioning the watchband 100 about the wrist of anindividual, the male snap fastener 138 is selectively positioned formating engagement with one of the female snap fasteners 140 such that,upon engagement of the male snap fastener 138 with the selected femalesnap fastener 140, the watchband 100 is secured about the individual'swrist.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, yet another embodiment of a watchband150 constructed in accordance with the present invention is illustrated.The watchband 150, which is fabricated of a tail portion 152 of anecktie 154 or from a piece of material resembling the tail portion of anecktie, or any other decorative material, such as a portion of a scarf,is characterized as having first end portion 156, a body portion 158 forsupporting a wristwatch 160, a second end portion 162, a front side 164(FIG. 8) and a back side 166 (FIG. 9). The first end portion 156terminates with a blunt end 168, and the second end portion 162terminates with substantially triangular-shaped end 170.

The body portion 158 of the watchband 150 is desirably provided with awidth 172 which is greater than the length of lateral retaining pins 174and 176 or the wristwatch 160, and the case portion 178 of thewristwatch 160 substantially as shown.

In order to connect the wristwatch 160 to the watchband 150, the bodyportion 158 is provided with a first connector assembly 180. The firstconnector assembly 180 contains male snap fasteners 182 and 184 whichare connected to the body portion 158 of the watchband 150 in a spatialrelationship. Further, the male snap fasteners 182 and 184 extendoutwardly from the front side 164 of the watchband 150. The wristwatch160 is positioned between the male snap fasteners 182 and 184 so thatthe male fastener 182 is disposed in close proximity, but spatiallydisposed from the lateral retaining pin 174 of the wristwatch 160.Similarly, the male snap fastener 184 is disposed in close proximity tothe lateral retaining pin 176 of the wristwatch 160, but spatiallydisposed from the lateral retaining pin 176.

The first connector assembly 180 further includes a strip of material186 having a first end portion 188, a medial portion 190, and a secondend portion 192. A female snap fastener 194 is provided in the first endportion 188 of the strip of material 186, and a female snap fastener 196is provided in the second end portion 192 of the strip of material 186.The strip of material 186 is provided with a length sufficient so thatthe medial portion 190 of the strip of material 186 can be positionedover the lateral retaining pins 174 and 176 of the wristwatch 160 andunder the case portion 178 of the wristwatch 160 whereby, upon matinglyconnecting the female snap fastener 194 with the male snap fastener 182and the female snap fastener 196 with the male snap fastener 184, thewristwatch 160 is secured to the body portion 158 of the watchband 150.

The watchband 150 is further provided with a second connector assembly198 for connecting the second end portion 162 of the watchband 150 tothe first end portion 156 of the watchband 150. The second connectorassembly 198 includes a male snap fastener 200 and a plurality of femalesnap fasteners 202. The male snap fastener 200 is disposed in thesubstantially triangular-shaped end 170 of the second end portion 162such that the male snap fastener 200 extends outwardly from the backside 166 of the watchband 150, and the plurality of female snapfasteners 202 are aligned along the first end portion 156 of thewatchband 150 so as to be disposed near the blunt end 168 thereof. Thus,upon positioning the watchband 150 about the wrist of an individual, themale snap fastener 200 is selectively positioned for mating engagementwith one of the female snap fasteners 202 such that upon engagement ofthe male snap fastener 200 with one of the selected female snapfasteners 202, the watchband 150 is secured about the individual'swrist.

While the first connector assembly 180 has been shown and described asincluding the strip of material 186 for securing the wristwatch 160 tothe watchband 150, it should be understood that any other type ofconnector assemblies, such as a plurality of mounting loops can beemployed for securing the wristwatch 160 to the watchband 150. It shouldbe further understood that the positioning of the male snap fastener andthe female snap fasteners of the connector assemblies of the variousembodiments described herein, and the first and second end portions ofthe watchband can be interchanged and varied without departing from theinventive concept disclosed herein. In addition, it should be understoodthat the above description is illustrative of the present invention, andit will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes andmodifications may be made without departing from the inventive conceptdisposed herein. Accordingly, it is not desired to limit the inventionto the exact construction and operation shown and described and,accordingly, suitable modifications may be made without departing fromthe spirit and scope of this invention.

1. A watchband formed from a piece of material resembling a tail portionof a necktie, the watchband comprising: a first end portion; a secondend portion; and a body portion extending between the first end portionand the second end portion, the body portion sized for supporting awristwatch and having a sufficient length so that the watchband can bewrapped about a wrist of a wearer whereby, in a wrapped condition thefirst end portion and the second end portion of the watchband engage thebody portion and secure at least a portion of the body portion of thewatchband in a stable position about the wrist of the wearer.
 2. Thewatchband of claim 1, wherein the first end portion has a substantiallyblunt end.
 3. The watchband of claim 1, wherein the second end portionhas a substantially triangular-shaped end.
 4. The watchband of claim 1wherein the watchband is provided with at least one connector assembly,the at least one connector assembly comprising: at least one firstfastener secured to the watchband; and at least one second fastenersecured to the watchband wherein the at least one second fastenermatingly engages the at least one first fastener so that the at leastone first fastener is detachably connected to the at least one secondfastener for attaching and securing the watchband about the wrist of thewearer and for detaching the watchband from the wrist of the wearer. 5.The watchband of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the watchband isprovided with a decorative pattern.
 6. The watchband of claim 1, whereinthe watch is provided with a case portion and a pair of lateralretaining pins so that the body portion is positioned over the pair oflateral retaining pins and under the case portion to support the watch.7. A watchband formed from a tail portion of a necktie, the watchbandcomprising: a first end portion having a substantially blunt end; asecond end portion having a substantially triangular-shaped end; and abody portion extending between the first end portion and the second endportion, the body portion sized for supporting a wristwatch and having asufficient length so that the watchband can be wrapped about a wrist ofa wearer whereby, in a wrapped condition the first end portion and thesecond end portion of the watchband engage the body portion and secureat least a portion of the body portion of the watchband in a stableposition about the wrist of the wearer.
 8. The watchband of claim 7wherein the watchband is provided with at least one connector assembly,the at least one connector assembly comprising: at least one firstfastener secured to the watchband; and at least one second fastenersecured to the watchband wherein the at least one second fastenermatingly engages the at least one first fastener so that the at leastone first fastener is detachably connected to the at least one secondfastener for attaching and securing the watchband about the wrist of thewearer and for detaching the watchband from the wrist of the wearer. 9.The watchband of claim 7, wherein at least a portion of the watchband isprovided with a decorative pattern.
 10. The watchband of claim 7,wherein the watch is provided with a case portion and a pair of lateralretaining pins so that the body portion is positioned over the pair oflateral retaining pins and under the case portion to support the watch.11. A combination watchband and wristwatch, comprising: a wristwatchhaving a case and a pair of lateral retaining pins, one of the lateralretaining pins extending from one end of the case and the other lateralretaining pin extending from an opposite end of the case; and awatchband, comprising: a first end portion; a second end portion; and abody portion extending between the first end portion and the second endportion, the body portion extending over the lateral retaining pins andunder the case of the wristwatch wherein the body portion having asufficient length to enable the watchband to be wrapped about a wrist ofa wearer whereby the first end portion and the second end portion engagethe body portion and secure the wristwatch on the wrist of the wearer.12. The combination of claim 11, wherein the first end portion of thewatchband has a substantially blunt end.
 13. The combination of claim11, wherein the second end portion has a substantially triangular-shapedend.
 14. The combination of claim 11, wherein the watchband is providedwith at least one connector assembly, the at least one connectorassembly comprising: at least one first fastener secured to thewatchband; and at least one second fastener secured to the watchbandwherein the at least one second fastener matingly engages the at leastone first fastener so that the at least one first fastener is detachablyconnected to the at least one second fastener for attaching and securingthe watchband about the wrist of the wearer and for detaching thewatchband from the wrist of the wearer.
 15. The combination of claim 11,wherein at least a portion of the watchband is provided with adecorative pattern.
 16. A method for securing a wristwatch to a wrist ofa wearer of the wristwatch with a watchband, comprising the steps of:providing a watchband formed from a piece of material, the watchbandcomprising: a first end portion; a second end portion; and a bodyportion extending between the first end portion and the second endportion, the body portion sized for supporting the wristwatch and havinga sufficient length so that the watchband can be wrapped about the wristof the wearer; positioning at least a portion of the body portionsupporting the watch on the wrist of the wearer; wrapping at least aportion of the first end portion of the watchband about the wrist of thewearer; wrapping at least a portion of the second end portion of thewatchband about the wrist of the wearer; engaging at least a portion ofthe first end portion and at least a portion of the second end portionto at least a portion of the body portion; and securing the at least aportion of the first end portion and at least a portion of the secondend portion to at least a portion of the body portion in a stableposition about the wrist of the wearer.
 17. The method of claim 16,wherein the piece of material resembles a tail portion of a necktie. 18.The method of claim 16 wherein the piece of material is a tail portionof a necktie.
 19. The method of claim 16, wherein the first end portionof the watchband has a blunt end.
 20. The method of claim 16, whereinthe second end portion of the watchband has a substantiallytriangular-shaped end.
 21. The method of claim 16 wherein the watchbandis provided with at least one connector assembly, the at least oneconnector assembly comprising: at least one first fastener secured tothe watchband; and at least one second fastener secured to the watchbandwherein the at least one second fastener matingly engages the at leastone first fastener so that the at least one first fastener is detachablyconnected to the at least one second fastener for attaching and securingthe watchband about the wrist of the wearer and for detaching thewatchband from the wrist of the wearer.
 22. The method of claim 16wherein, at least a portion of the watchband is provided with adecorative pattern.
 23. The method of claim 16, wherein the wristwatchis provided with a case portion and a pair of lateral retaining pins.24. The method of claim 23 further comprising the steps of: positioningat least a portion of the body portion of the watchband over the pair oflateral pins; and positioning at least a portion of the body portion ofthe watchband under the case portion of the wristwatch to support thewristwatch.